Gate-actuating mechanism



(No Model.)

J. F. HOUSTON. GATE AG'I'UATING MECHANISM.

No. 479,278. Patented July 19, 1892.

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UNITED TATES PATENT tribe,

JAMES FRANK HOUSTON, OF LEWVISBURG, TENNESSEE.

GATE-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,278, dated July 19, 1892.

Application filed October 6, 1891- Serial No. 407,921. (No model.) i

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs FRANK HOUSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lewisburg, in the county of Marshall and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gate-Actuating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that type of gate which is hung to a post in such manner that it can be thrown out of perpendicularity or its centerof gravity changed for causing it to swing open or closed.

The objects of my invention are to improve prior constructions, to provide for the efficient and quick opening and closing of the gate, to avoid the necessity of journaling the end bar of the gate, to insure the prompt opening of the gate the'instant the gate-latch is released, and to provide novel means for hanging a gate, whereby an elevated lever mechanism can be practicably employed to throw the gate into an inclined position or to change its center of gravity for the purpose of cansing it to automatically swing open. These objects I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference beingmade to the accompanying drawing, in which the figure is a perspective View of a gate-operating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention.

In order to enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now describe the same in detail, referring to the drawing, wherein The numeral 1 indicates a gate, 2 a gatepost, and 3 a fencing joined to the gate-post, all of which parts may be of any construction, shape, form, or configuration that may be desired. A vertically-arranged beam or bar 4 is pivoted between its extremities to the gate-post through the medium of a pivot pin or bolt 5, so that such beam or bar can vibrate in a vertical plane in a direction at right the position it occupies when the beam or bar is shifted. A pair of suitable posts or other supports are arranged, respectively, at opposite sides of the gate, and each post or support is provided at its upper end with a pivoted horizontally-swinging lever 41, connected by a rigid rod 42 with the upper extremity of the vibratory gate-carrying beam or bar 4. The connection between the two levers 41 and the beam or bar 4 is shown as composed of a single continuous rod; but obviously this is not indispensable.

The latch 43 of the gate is of any wellknown construction suitable for the conditions required and is connected by a cable, cord, or chain 44 with a pair of cables, cords, or flexible connections 45, extending, respectively, to the levers 41 and provided with knobs, buttons, or other suitable devices 46, by which either branch 45 can be manipulated to release the latch 43, as will be obvious. The cable, cord, or chain 44 extends round a sheave 47.

The gate-carrying beam or bar pivoted to the gate-post is non-rotary, and therefore is a different mechanical contrivanoe from the ordinary end bar of a gate journaled in bearings on a gate-post and adapted to be shifted or thrown out of perpendicularity for changing the center of gravity of the gate and causing it to open or close.

The invention is particularly designed to provide novel, useful, and desirable gates for parks and cemeteries, but obviously is useful wherever a gate is necessary.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination, with a gate-post, of a gate-carrying beam pivoted between its extremities to the post and adapted to'swing thereon in a vertical plane, a gate having its end bar hinged to the gate-carrying beam, a pair of postsor standards arranged at opposite sides of the gate-post, a pair of swinging hand-levers pivoted, respectively, at one end to the upperportions of the posts or standards, and a rigid rod connection between the pair of levers and the upper end of the gate-carrying beam, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a gate-post, of a gate-carrying beam pivoted between its exrigid rod connection pivoted to the levers and to the gate-carrying beam, and cords running 10 from the hand-levers to the gate-latch for operatin g the latter, substantially as and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and afiixed my seal in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

J AS. FRANK HOUSTON.

Witnesses:

B. A. LONDON, P. D. HOUSTON. 

